246 OBSERVATIONS ON INSECTS. 



destructive and alarming than other animals infi- 

 nitely superior to them in size, and ranking far 

 higher in the scale of nature. 



HELODES PHELLANDRII.* 



THIS insect is found within the hollow stems of 

 the water-hemlock (CEnanthe phellandrium), feeding 

 upon the inner coats of that plant, much in the same 

 way as the Lixus producing does on those of the 

 Slum latifolium. In August 1827, they occurred in 

 the greatest profusion in the fens about Ely. Every 

 plant of the water-hemlock that was to be found had 

 the stems crowded with them: vast quantities, 

 in some instances, were drowned by the rising of 

 the water above that joint of the stem in which 

 they were confined. As the (Enanthe phellandrium 

 almost always grows in the middle of the water, 

 these insects must be often subject to this accident. 



COCCINELLA GLOBOSA.f 



April 26, 1824. I OBSERVE the Coccinella globosa 

 in great abundance just at this time on the young 

 plants of the field campion (Silene inflata) under the 

 hedges. They appear to be particularly attached to 

 tjiem. This is in general one of the rarer species of Coc- 

 cinella about here. When touched, they fall instantly 

 to the ground, and lie so concealed in the grass that 

 it is difficult to secure them. They vary greatly in 



* Steph. Man. p. 311. t Id. p. 317. 



